Mexico case study exemplifies MPD success in deep depleted fractured carbonates

摘要

A 33-WELL, integrated-services drilling project in the Bermudez and Jujo Fields in Southern Mexico was recently completed along with the development of several innovative managed pressure drilling solutions to overcome some critical operational challenges. PEMEX operates these fields and, from previous experience, knew that they would be facing significant drilling challenges, particularly in the pay-zone sections. This article will focus on the techniques and equipment used to successfully drill these wells and overcome these challenges. The project was to be executed in fields discovered in 1972 that contained significant oil in place. Unfortunately, because of significant pressure declines since first discovery, major drilling challenges needed to be resolved for the project to be successful. The pay-zone is made up of highly permeable fractured carbonates. While this is an excellent production characteristic, it makes drilling difficult, especially when the reservoir is very compartmentalized in various fault blocks, each with widely variable pore pressures.